Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - July 28, 2006

From: Tacoma, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Practicality of growing bluebonnets in Germany
Answered by: Joe Marcus and Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am originally from Texas, but I am living in Washington and moving to Germany for the military. I desperately miss bluebonnets and my husband picked up a big bag for me as a present and have no idea what to do. Germany is cold most of the year. I was wondering if there was someway I could make a terrarium of some sort with UVA and UVB lights and grow them indoors. Or if I could maybe figure out if I have to plant them outside, what's my best bet for growing them? soil? vitamins? sunlight? heat? Whatever I need basically. I would really like to to figure something out. Also I saw another person's email that said something about a maroon bluebonnet. I have never heard of that. Could I get some info on that?

ANSWER:

It is indeed possible to grow bluebonnets in an enclosed, artificial environment. It is also very impractical and almost certainly prohibitively expensive. It would probably not be possible at all to grow them outside in Germany; the environmental conditions just are not suited to Texas bluebonnets.

Happily, bluebonnets are lupines and there are lupines native to Germany. You can enjoy the European native lupines during your stay in Germany and they will serve as fond reminders of home. Germany is noted for its public and private gardens where dazzling floricultural displays are created each year during warm months. You are sure to enjoy these living works of art.

Save your bag of bluebonnet seeds for your return to Texas and maybe you can add some maroon seeds to them as well. Here is a link for the maroon bluebonnet and here is information on growing your bluebonnets in Texas. It's something to look forward to upon your return to Texas!

 

More Propagation Questions

How to propagate milkweed from root cuttings
June 08, 2009 - I am interested in propagating Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed). Your info page for this species says it can be propagated via root cuttings. Does this mean I can lop off a chunk of the root/tuber ...
view the full question and answer

How can I propagate Magnolia trees? Airlayeringg, semi-hardwood cuttings, and seeds.
July 01, 2008 - Hi. My grandmother recently passed away. One of her most prized possessions was her magnolia tree. She absolutely loved that tree. I, along with other members of the family each want to take a pie...
view the full question and answer

Where can seeds or plants of Ruellia nudiflora be obtained from Cedar Park TX
January 10, 2011 - Where can I purchase Ruellia nudiflora seeds or plants?
view the full question and answer

Germination of Sophora seeds, and Dodder identification in Kingsland, TX.
May 02, 2012 - Our Mt. Laurel has just produced seeds. Can those be scarified and planted now or do they have to dry out. Also what is the stringy orange substance that gets on bluebonnets and other wildflowers ...
view the full question and answer

Male and female possumhaws for berries from Georgetown TX
April 23, 2012 - Do I need to plant two ilex decidua (possumhaws), a male and female to have red berries on the tree in the winter?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.